In order to live our faith into action in a humane and faithful response to help people in need on both sides of our border we are sharing several different ways you can plug in with our community partners to help make a difference in the lives of people. There are multiple opportunities to fit a wide range of involvement both here in San Diego and also with two organizations in Tijuana. Whether you can volunteer time or donate, your help can make a big difference. Thank you for living out our mission and helping to make San Diego a more just, fair and equitable region.
San Diego
There is a need for home hospitality for clergy who will be coming to participate in the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) action over the weekend of December 8-9. For more information contact Angela Fujii, MSW, Social Justice Coordinator. Families are arriving in our community in desperate need of our help. They have traveled hundreds, if not thousands of miles to flee violence, suffering, and persecution in their homelands in search of a safer, better life. Immigration authorities are releasing these families after being vetted by Homeland Security in San Diego and giving them the right to live in the U.S. while they await the outcome of their application for asylum.
GoFundMe Campaign – Migrant Family Shelter
A migrant shelter was started in late October to provide meals, medical care, legal services, and travel aid to 30-40 families a day. Thus far, the shelter has served over 1,500 people in the last five weeks. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by the San Diego Rapid Response Network to raise funds for the shelter to maintain its daily operation and provide basic necessities, such as food, blankets and bedding, portable showers, baby/children needs and toilets. The funding will also help SDRRN provide free legal representation for these families and fund bond fees. To donate and share, visit GoFundMe.com/MigrantReliefSD.
Travel Fund for Migrant Families
The Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego has established a travel fund to support cross-country travel expenses for these migrant families. To donate, visit sharejourneysd.org/families.
One concrete, direct ask from SDOP: the shelter effort is still recruiting churches to sponsor/cook meals for migrants staying at the shelter. Please email Denise at denise4050@cox.net if you can prepare a weekly meal.
Tijuana
Organizing Center
There is no one organization where everything is being coordinated. But there are several Tijuana-based organizations that are doing lots of work. Two of the main organizations are Enclave Caracol and Al Otro Lado (both located at Calle Primera 8250, Zona Nte., 22127 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico).
Enclave Caracol is a vegetarian cafe that is providing free food, medical treatment, and a safe space for migrants.
Food Not Bombs Tijuana seems to be co-coordinating the space with them. Please check their facebook for a list of things they need. But as of 11/17/18,what they need most are VOLUNTEERS to cook and serve food, as well as fresh food to keep feeding folks.
Al Otro Lado provides legal services and information to migrants. They are located on the rooftop of Enclave Caracol and are coordinating their own outreach plan, but also work with Enclave and other groups. They work to get legal observers as well as attorneys out in the field. If you are fluent in Spanish and/or have a legal background, sign up to volunteer: https://alotrolado.org/take-action/volunteer/ Otherwise, the best way to support Al Otro Lado’s work is to donate: https://alotrolado.org/take-action/donate/
Centro GaryMar: Established by First Church members Mar & Gary Loutzenhiser, GaryMar is a place where social justice-oriented groups can meet and support each other. Lodging, meals, and transportation services are available for small groups. In response to the situation on the ground in Tijuana, Centro GaryMar is providing housing hospitality to a few members of the Central American exodus and preparing meals for migrants. Donate online at https://www.facebook.com/donate/574225789697926/ .
Thank you, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego Ministerial Team and Staff
There is a need for home hospitality for clergy who will be coming to participate in the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) action over the weekend of December 8-9. For more information contact Angela Fujii, MSW, Social Justice Coordinator. Families are arriving in our community in desperate need of our help. They have traveled hundreds, if not thousands of miles to flee violence, suffering, and persecution in their homelands in search of a safer, better life. Immigration authorities are releasing these families after being vetted by Homeland Security in San Diego and giving them the right to live in the U.S. while they await the outcome of their application for asylum.
GoFundMe Campaign – Migrant Family Shelter
A migrant shelter was started in late October to provide meals, medical care, legal services, and travel aid to 30-40 families a day. Thus far, the shelter has served over 1,500 people in the last five weeks. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched by the San Diego Rapid Response Network to raise funds for the shelter to maintain its daily operation and provide basic necessities, such as food, blankets and bedding, portable showers, baby/children needs and toilets. The funding will also help SDRRN provide free legal representation for these families and fund bond fees. To donate and share, visit GoFundMe.com/MigrantReliefSD.
Travel Fund for Migrant Families
The Catholic Charities Diocese of San Diego has established a travel fund to support cross-country travel expenses for these migrant families. To donate, visit sharejourneysd.org/families.
One concrete, direct ask from SDOP: the shelter effort is still recruiting churches to sponsor/cook meals for migrants staying at the shelter. Please email Denise at denise4050@cox.net if you can prepare a weekly meal.
Tijuana
Organizing Center
There is no one organization where everything is being coordinated. But there are several Tijuana-based organizations that are doing lots of work. Two of the main organizations are Enclave Caracol and Al Otro Lado (both located at Calle Primera 8250, Zona Nte., 22127 Tijuana, B.C., Mexico).
Enclave Caracol is a vegetarian cafe that is providing free food, medical treatment, and a safe space for migrants.
Food Not Bombs Tijuana seems to be co-coordinating the space with them. Please check their facebook for a list of things they need. But as of 11/17/18,what they need most are VOLUNTEERS to cook and serve food, as well as fresh food to keep feeding folks.
Al Otro Lado provides legal services and information to migrants. They are located on the rooftop of Enclave Caracol and are coordinating their own outreach plan, but also work with Enclave and other groups. They work to get legal observers as well as attorneys out in the field. If you are fluent in Spanish and/or have a legal background, sign up to volunteer: https://alotrolado.org/take-action/volunteer/ Otherwise, the best way to support Al Otro Lado’s work is to donate: https://alotrolado.org/take-action/donate/
Centro GaryMar: Established by First Church members Mar & Gary Loutzenhiser, GaryMar is a place where social justice-oriented groups can meet and support each other. Lodging, meals, and transportation services are available for small groups. In response to the situation on the ground in Tijuana, Centro GaryMar is providing housing hospitality to a few members of the Central American exodus and preparing meals for migrants. Donate online at https://www.facebook.com/donate/574225789697926/ .
Thank you, First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego Ministerial Team and Staff
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